CLONTARF RUGBY WON the Ulster Bank League for the first time in their 138-year history after defeating Ballynahinch 27-13.
The Dubliners — promoted to the top division of the UBL in 1997 — have so often been the nearly men of All Ireland League rugby but did what they had to this afternoon. The onus was on Old Belvedere to beat bottom side Garryowen in Dooradoyle but they fell to a shock 23-18 defeat.
Garryowen, who were already relegated before this weekend, went 7-0 up before flanker Kieran O’Gorman profited, and dived over the home whitewash, after a quick tap penalty. Just as Old Belvedere thought they had battled back and would go in level at the break, the hosts pierced their defence out wide to make it 14-7 at the break.
Andrew O’Byrne slotted over a fine drop goal to stretch the lead, early in the second half and Belvedere were 20-10 down. Two Garryowen players were sent to the sin-bin and the Dubliners scored in the lefthand corner to give themselves hope of a comeback before conceding a late penalty and losing one of their own players to the bin.
They slotted over a late penalty to give themselves a glimmer of hope but Garryowen held win only their fourth game of the season.
Clontarf hit the front early against Ballynahinch as Michael McGrath crossed for a nerve-settling try. Out-half David Joyce was steady off the kicking tee throughout. They were briefly level at 13-13 in their fraught clash with the Northern Irish side but a Peter Du Toit try steadied their nerves and they added another score late on.
